JP5136824B2 - Projector and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a projector that can be loaded with lamps of a plurality of kinds, each of a plurality of the lamps loadable into the projector being given a lamp serial code formed by arranging lamp information including at least a minimum wattage and a maximum wattage of the lamp and a check sum in predetermined order. The projector includes: a lamp power supply for driving the lamp loaded in the projector, the lamp power supply being provided in advance with a plurality of mode ranges each as a range from a minimum wattage to a maximum wattage of output of the lamp power supply, and one predetermined mode range of the plurality of mode ranges being freely set in the lamp power supply; and a control circuit for controlling the lamp power supply.

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector and a control method therefor, and more particularly, to a projector and a control method therefor that can safely secure an appropriate lamp gain regardless of the lamp size.

  In recent years, with the development of video display technology, projectors that can be used in the field of so-called digital cinema, that is, projectors that can be used for movie screening in movie theaters have appeared (for example, see Patent Document 1).

As such a projector, there is also a projector having a power source (hereinafter referred to as a lamp power source unit) that can drive a plurality of types of lamp sizes. Here, the lamp size means an input rating such as a minimum watt or a maximum watt for the lamp.
JP 05-260423 A

  Here, paying attention to the lamp size, since the lamp is mounted in a predetermined lamp house built in the projector, its shape itself is the same or similar in terms of ensuring the function, but there is a clear provision for the lamp size. There is a possibility that lamps of various lamp sizes may be distributed on the market. For example, in the field of digital cinema, lamps of various lamp sizes are mixed in the market in order to purchase from a plurality of lamp manufacturers in order to reduce maintenance costs. In such a case, lamps having different lamp sizes may be employed in movie theaters scattered in each region.

  On the other hand, paying attention to the movie image size, for example, “Standard size” with an aspect ratio of 1: 1.33, “Vista size (European standard)” with an aspect ratio of 1: 1.66, and “Vista size with an aspect ratio of 1: 1.85” (American standard) "and" Cinemascope size (registered trademark) "with an aspect ratio of 1: 2.35.

However, in the field of digital cinema, a standard called DCI Spec is defined by an organization called DCI (Digital Cinema Initiatives). According to the regulations, it is specified as a video parameter to be referred to that “white peak luminance is 48 cd / m ² (14 ft-L) at the center of the screen”. ^{14ft-L = 48cd / m 2} , and since, it comes to the brightness of approximately 1 m ² per candle 48 duty is required at the center of the screen. In other words, the brightness (illuminance) of the image projected on the screen must be kept constant at all times.

  Therefore, it may be necessary to switch from a predetermined one of these various angles of view to another one on the same screen. In such a case, it is necessary to change the zoom magnification and focus magnification of the projector lens. In accordance with this change, as described above, it is necessary to change the lamp power (input wattage) in order to keep the brightness (illuminance) of the image on the screen constant. It is necessary to secure it. For this reason, it is necessary to employ a lamp whose lamp size can cope with the change and to make an appropriate setting on the projector side.

  However, when such lamps with various lamp sizes are used, there has been a problem that conventionally, there is a case where it is impossible to cope with the setting range of the lamp power supply unit prepared in advance.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and makes it possible to safely secure an appropriate lamp gain regardless of the lamp size.

A projector according to an aspect of the present invention is a projector capable of mounting a plurality of types of lamps, and includes at least a minimum watt and a maximum watt of each of the plurality of lamps that can be mounted on the projector. Each lamp information and a check serial are arranged with a lamp serial code configured in a predetermined order, and the projector is a lamp power source for driving the lamp mounted on the projector, A plurality of mode ranges are provided in advance as a range from the minimum watt to the maximum watt of output, and the predetermined one of the plurality of mode ranges can be freely set, and the lamp A control circuit for controlling a power supply, and the control circuit is mounted on the projector. When the lamp is replaced with a predetermined lamp, a GUI image for inputting the lamp serial code is displayed in a pop-up, the input of the lamp serial code attached to the predetermined lamp with respect to the GUI image is received, and the lamp serial By confirming the portion corresponding to the checksum in the information inputted as a code, it is confirmed whether the inputted information is the valid lamp serial code, and the valid lamp serial code. The code range is compared with the mode range set for the lamp power supply with the range from the minimum watt to the maximum watt included in the lamp serial code as the code range, and the result of the comparison based on the range and the code range and the mode range overlap, the La Determined as the lamp driving controlling range for controlling the drive of the up power supply, in the determined lamp driving controlling range, controls the driving of the lamp power supply.

  The projector control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method corresponding to the control method of the control circuit according to the projector according to one aspect of the present invention described above.

In the projector according to one aspect of the present invention and the control method thereof, a projector capable of mounting lamps of a plurality of types of lamp sizes, and for each of the plurality of lamps that can be mounted on the projector, Each lamp information including at least the maximum watt, and a lamp serial code configured by arranging checksums in a predetermined order are attached, and is a lamp power source for driving the lamp mounted on the projector, A plurality of mode ranges are provided in advance as a range from the minimum watts to the maximum watts of the output, and the lamp power source in which a predetermined one of the plurality of mode ranges can be freely set, In a projector equipped with a control circuit for controlling the lamp power supply, the following control is performed. It is the row. That is, when the lamp mounted on the projector is replaced with a predetermined lamp, a GUI image for inputting the lamp serial code is popped up, and the lamp serial attached to the predetermined lamp with respect to the GUI image is displayed. An input of a code is accepted, and whether or not the input information is a valid lamp serial code is confirmed by checking a portion corresponding to the checksum in the information input as the lamp serial code. And when it is confirmed that the lamp serial code is valid, the range from the minimum watt to the maximum watt included in the lamp serial code is set as the code range, and the code range and the lamp power source are set. The mode range is compared, and based on the comparison result, a range where the code range and the mode range overlap is determined as a lamp drive control range for controlling the driving of the lamp power supply. As a result, the driving of the lamp power source is controlled within the determined lamp driving control range.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the driving of the lamp of the projector can be controlled. In particular, regardless of the lamp size, it is possible to realize appropriate control of lamp driving while ensuring an appropriate lamp gain safely.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing system to which the present invention is applied, which is applied to the field of digital cinema.

  In the information processing system in the example of FIG. 1, various apparatuses (details will be described later) installed in movie theaters 11A to 11N and a maintenance server 12 are connected to each other via a predetermined network 13 such as the Internet. Configured. Here, the maintenance server 12 refers to, for example, a device that is used for a person who provides maintenance of various devices installed in the movie theaters 11A to 11N as services (services).

  The movie theater 11A has a plurality of screening venues 22a to 22n so that a plurality of movies can be screened in parallel. A Theater Management device 21 (hereinafter referred to as a TM device 21) is installed in the movie theater 11A in order to perform integrated management of the plurality of screening venues 22a to 22n.

  The screening place 22a is provided with a Screen Management device 31a (hereinafter referred to as SM device 31a) to a screen 34a.

  Similarly, the SM screen 31n to the screen 34n are provided in the screening place 22n. In addition, SM screen 31k to screen 34k are also provided in each screening place 22k (k is an arbitrary lower case alphabet) not shown.

  In the following description, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the screening venues 22a to 22n, they are collectively referred to as the screening venue 22 collectively. Hereinafter, when the screening place 22k is simply referred to as the screening place 22, each of the SM device 31k to the screen 34k is also referred to as the SM device 31 to the screen 34, respectively.

  The SM device 31 is a device that performs overall management of the screening venue 22, and controls other devices in the screening venue 22, that is, the material server 32, the projector 33, and the like. Further, the SM device 31 communicates with the TM device 21 and exchanges various information as appropriate.

  The material server 32 provides the projector 33 with digital data of a movie (material) to be screened at the screening site 22.

  The projector 33 projects an image corresponding to the digital data provided from the material server 32 on the screen 34. As a result, the movie is shown on the screen 34.

  Similarly, although not shown, the other movie theaters 11B to 11N also have one or more screening venues 22, and each screening venue 22 is provided with an SM device 31 to a screen 34, respectively.

Here, the information processing system of FIG. 1 is applied to the field of digital cinema as described above. In the field of digital cinema, a standard called DCI Spec is defined by an organization called DCI (Digital Cinema Initiatives). According to the standard, as a video parameter to be referred to, “white peak luminance is 48 cd / m ² (14 ft-L) at the center of the screen” is specified. Since 14 ft-L = 48 cd / m ² , the brightness of 48 candles per 1 m ² is required at the center of the screen 34. In other words, the brightness (illuminance) of the image projected on the screen 34 must be kept constant at all times.

  On the other hand, there are various types of sizes of the screen 34 depending on the volume of the screening place 22 and the like.

  Therefore, as the light source of the projector 33, it is necessary to employ an optimum lamp that can satisfy DCI Spec, for example, a lamp such as Xenon, according to the size of the screen 34 to be projected.

  Also, regarding the angle of view of movies, for example, “Standard size” with an aspect ratio of 1: 1.33, “Vista size (European standard)” with an aspect ratio of 1: 1.66, and “Vista size (with an aspect ratio of 1: 1.85)” There are various types such as “American standard” and “Cinemascope size (registered trademark)” with an aspect ratio of 1: 2.35. Therefore, in the same screening place 22, that is, on the same screen 34, it may be necessary to switch from a predetermined one of these various angles of view to another one. In such a case, it is necessary to change the zoom magnification of the lens of the projector 33. In accordance with this change, it is necessary to change the lamp power (input wattage) in order to keep the luminance (illuminance) of the image on the screen 34 constant as described above. As a result, the light intensity gain of the lamp is constant. It is necessary to secure in quantity. For this reason, it is necessary to employ a lamp that can cope with the change in minimum wattage, maximum wattage, etc. (hereinafter, this input rating is also referred to as a lamp size) as an input rating, and is appropriate on the side of driving the lamp. It is necessary to make settings.

  Further, since the lamp has a lifetime, it is necessary to appropriately manage the lamp usage time and replace the lamp at an appropriate time. This is because some lamps may require replacement up to 8 times a year.

  Furthermore, since the lamp is mounted in a predetermined lamp house (for example, the lamp house 57 in FIG. 2 in the present embodiment), the shape itself is the same or similar in terms of ensuring the function (for example, in the present embodiment, the figure is No. 3 is adopted), there is no clear definition for the lamp size, and lamps with a wide variety of lamp sizes may be distributed on the market. In particular, when the movie theaters 11A to 11N in FIG. 1 are scattered in remote places, lamps of lamp manufacturers (manufacturers) in each region are often used. In such a case, there is a higher possibility that lamps of different types of lamp sizes are distributed in the market. Therefore, in the movie theaters 11A to 11N, even if the projector 33 projects an image on the screen 34 having the same size, lamps having different lamp sizes may be employed as the lamps to be mounted on the projector 33.

  As described above, there are circumstances peculiar to the field of projector lamps in the field of digital cinema. As a result, the following various problems have arisen in movie theaters that employ conventional projectors.

  For example, there has been a projector having a power source capable of driving a plurality of types of lamp sizes (hereinafter referred to as a lamp power source unit). In this case, conventionally, the lamp replacement operator has manually set the lamp power supply unit in accordance with the lamp size of the lamp to be replaced. Alternatively, the lamp replacement operator has selected a lamp having a predetermined lamp size in accordance with the setting of the lamp power supply unit. In this case, the lamp replacement operator may make an incorrect setting or select an incorrect lamp due to a work mistake. In such a case, a current exceeding the rated current flows to the lamp, causing a rupture failure, etc. There was a danger. Here, the wrong lamp means a lamp having a lamp size that does not match the setting of the lamp power supply unit. However, there is a reason that the selection of the lamp size itself is wrong as the reason for not matching, and the selection of the lamp size itself was correct, but generally the shape of the lamp is the same or similar. For this reason, there is a reason that the lamp size cannot be determined only by visual recognition, and a lamp having a lamp size different from the selected lamp size is erroneously prepared. Further, in the case of a conventional projector, when a lamp size that does not completely match a preset setting range of a lamp power supply unit is installed, it cannot be used. Hereinafter, such a problem is referred to as a lamp size problem.

  Further, for example, as described above, since it is necessary to appropriately manage the lamp usage time and the like, a timer for measuring the lamp usage time (hereinafter referred to as a lamp timer) is also provided in a conventional projector. . Conventionally, however, the lamp timer can be reset at any time by an operator or the like in the exhibition hall 22, so there is no means to officially prove that even if the lamp life is reached within the lamp guarantee time. In other words, if the lamp life is reached within the lamp warranty time, a special agreement for free replacement of the lamp, etc. may be concluded and the lamp may be transferred, but it is determined whether or not such a special agreement should be implemented. There was no way to do it. In addition, in projectors that can be equipped with multiple types of lamp sizes, there are parts that have different regular replacement times depending on the amount of light (lamp size), and any lamp is used when determining the replacement time of such parts. There was no means for the parts exchanger (serviceman) to confirm the history information such as Hereinafter, such a problem is referred to as a lamp usage history problem.

  In addition, for example, as described above, the lamp timer has been conventionally resettable by an operator or the like in the exhibition hall 22 at any time, so that there is a possibility that the lamp usage time cannot be strictly managed. In addition, as described above, even a lamp that is not certified for a conventional projector can be easily used in the projector, so that compatibility with the projector (for example, cooling, driving current, mechanical dimensions, etc.) is improved. It was often inappropriate. As a result, there is a risk that the projector breaks down or the lamp bursts. Hereinafter, such a problem is referred to as a lamp management problem.

  For example, in the field of digital cinema, each movie theater 11A to 11N wants to purchase from a plurality of lamp manufacturers in order to reduce maintenance costs. Will be mixed. On the other hand, for example, even when the “cinemascope size” and the “vista size” are switched, as described above, it is necessary to always keep the luminance (illuminance) of the image projected on the screen 34 constant. In this case, in order to ensure a constant luminance, it is necessary to secure the light amount gain of the lamp to 1.6. However, conventionally, there has been a problem that it may not be possible to cope with the setting range of the lamp power supply unit prepared in advance. Hereinafter, such a problem is referred to as a lamp gain problem.

  In addition, for example, in a conventional projector having a lamp power supply unit capable of driving a plurality of types of lamp sizes, the recommended replacement time differs depending on the lamps mounted, so that an operator or the like in the show 22 can recommend the recommended replacement time for the lamp. And the lamp timer, the timing of lamp replacement was managed independently. As a result, the management becomes complicated and there is a risk that a screening trouble due to a management mistake may occur. Hereinafter, such a problem is referred to as a lamp replacement time problem.

  Therefore, in the information processing system of FIG. 1 to which the present invention is applied, the projectors 33 that can solve the various problems described above are installed in each screening place 22. That is, the projector 33 is an embodiment of a projector to which the present invention is applied. A configuration example of such a projector 33 is shown in FIG.

  In the projector 33 in the example of FIG. 2, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51 executes various processes according to a program or the like recorded in the memory 52. The memory 52 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 51 to execute various processes.

  An input / output unit 53, an I / O unit 54, and an input / output interface 55 are also connected to the CPU 51.

  The input / output unit 53 is composed of, for example, a touch panel, etc., and includes an input unit 71 for a user (such as the operator of the screening venue 22 in FIG. 1) to perform various operations, a display for displaying the operation contents, and the like. It has the display part 72 which becomes.

  The I / O unit 54 relays various information exchanged between the CPU 51 and the lamp power source unit 56. A specific example of various information to be relayed will be described later in the description of step S10 in FIG.

  The lamp power supply unit 56 is a power supply that can drive the lamps 58 of a plurality of types of lamp sizes. That is, the lamp power supply unit 56 provides appropriate driving power to the lamp 58 mounted on the lamp house 57 based on control from the CPU 51 via the I / O unit 54.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the lamp 58 has a shape shown in FIG. In other words, in the present embodiment, all the lamps that can be mounted as the lamp 58 in the projector 33 (replaceability) have the same shape as that shown in FIG. However, such lamps can have a wide variety of lamp sizes. Therefore, it is difficult for an operator or the like to determine the lamp size of the lamp to be replaced as the lamp 58 simply by visually recognizing the shape (the shape of FIG. 3). As a result, various problems such as the lamp size problem described above may occur. Therefore, in order to avoid the occurrence of these problems, the projector 33 executes a projector lamp replacement process of FIG. 5 described later.

  However, the shape of the lamp 58 is not limited to the example of FIG. 3, and any shape that can be attached to the lamp house 57 is sufficient. In other words, the shape of the lamp 58 depends on the structure of the lamp house 57. That is, the lamp house 57 according to the present embodiment happens to have a structure in which the lamp 58 having the shape shown in FIG. 3 can be mounted.

  As described above, the projector 33 may be equipped with lamps of various lamp sizes as the lamp 58. Therefore, the lamp power supply unit 56 is configured such that a plurality of modes (hereinafter referred to as lamp modes) can be set as output ratings such as a maximum output watt, a minimum output watt, and a maximum current. Specifically, for example, in the present embodiment, each of the four lamp modes A to D as shown in FIG. As a switch for setting any one of the lamp modes A to D, for example, in the present embodiment, a setting SW 73 shown in FIG. Specifically, for example, when the lamp mode A is set by the setting SW 73, according to FIG. 4, the lamp power supply unit 56 has a maximum output watt of 4.6kW, a minimum output watt of 2.0kW, and a maximum current. It will drive within the range of 167A.

  Hereinafter, the rated output range defined in the lamp mode, that is, the range from the minimum output watt to the maximum output watt is referred to as a mode range. In other words, it can be said that the mode range is a range in which the output is limited with the minimum output watt as the minimum limit and the output is limited with the maximum output watt as the maximum limit, that is, the drive limitation range of the lamp power supply unit 56. Specifically, for example, the mode range of the lamp mode A means a range of 2.0 kW to 4.6 kW (see FIG. 9 described later).

  A communication unit 59 and a drive 60 are connected to the input / output interface 55 of FIG. The communication unit 59 controls communication processing with other devices including the external SM device 31 and the material server 32 (see FIG. 1). The form of communication in this case is not particularly limited, and may be wired or wireless. Moreover, the communication by direct connection may be sufficient and the communication which intervenes the network containing the internet may be sufficient.

  The communication unit 59 can also acquire a program from the outside by such communication control and store it in the memory 52.

  When a removable medium 74 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory is loaded, the drive 60 drives them to acquire programs and data recorded therein. The acquired program and data are transferred to the memory 52 and stored as necessary.

  Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 5, of the processes executed by the projector 33 having such a configuration, a process executed when a predetermined lamp is replaced as the lamp 58 (hereinafter referred to as a projector lamp replacement process). An example will be described.

  The description will be made with reference to the specific examples of FIGS.

  In step S1, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the lamp timer reset button has been pressed.

  Until the lamp timer reset button is pressed, the process of step S1 is determined to be NO, and the process of step S1 is executed again.

  Here, an example of the lamp timer reset button will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a GUI (Graphical User Interface) image for setting and managing the projector 33. The GUI image is displayed on the display unit 72 in the present embodiment, for example. For example, in the present embodiment, a function as a lamp timer reset button is assigned to the software button 101 described as “RESET” in the GUI image.

  Therefore, when the lamp replacement operator replaces the predetermined lamp as the lamp 58, the operation of operating the input unit 71 and touching his / her finger or the like when the input / output unit 53 is configured with a touch panel, for example. Then, the lamp timer reset button 101 can be pressed. In this case, it is determined as YES in the process of step S1 in FIG. 5, and the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S <b> 2, the CPU 51 causes the display unit 72 to pop up a lamp serial code input screen. In step S3, the CPU 51 determines whether a lamp serial code has been input.

  Here, the lamp serial code and the lamp serial code input screen will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The lamp serial code is information in which, when a lamp manufacturer (manufacturer) manufactures a predetermined lamp that can be the lamp 58, one or more pieces of lamp information related to the predetermined lamp are arranged in a predetermined order. . The reason why lamp information etc. and "etc." were added is that information other than lamp information such as checksum ("Check sum" / "check sum") may be included in the lamp serial code as will be described later. is there. The lamp information itself is not particularly limited as long as it is information related to the predetermined lamp. For example, information (ID or the like) for uniquely specifying a predetermined lamp, management information about the predetermined lamp, or the like can be adopted as the lamp information.

  Hereinafter, the target lamp to which the lamp serial code is attached is referred to as a target lamp.

  This lamp serial code is transferred together with the target lamp, for example. Specifically, for example, in the present embodiment, the lamp serial code is printed on a paper medium, and the paper medium is packed and shipped together with the target lamp.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the structure of a lamp serial code. As shown in FIG. 7, the lamp serial code is configured by arranging text information “Check sum / manufacture code / max watt / min watt / life hour / lamp serial / check sum”.

  “Check sum” / “check sum” means that when the target lamp is replaced as the lamp 58 in the projector 33, predetermined text information is converted into a lamp serial code in the process of step S3 in FIG. Is used for checking whether or not the predetermined text information is a valid lamp serial code.

  Therefore, as described above, it is necessary for the lamp manufacturer (manufacturer) to create a lamp serial code when the target lamp is manufactured. When creating the lamp serial code, the “Check sum” / “Check sum” is calculated. A method of creating the lamp serial code will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The “manufacture code” is one piece of lamp information and is a code for identifying the lamp manufacturer (manufacturer) of the target lamp, that is, a so-called manufacturer ID.

  “Max watt” is one piece of lamp information, and is information indicating the maximum watt of the lamp size (input rating) of the target lamp.

  “Min watt” is one piece of lamp information, and is information indicating the minimum watt of the lamp size (input rating) of the target lamp.

  “Life hour” is one piece of lamp information, and is information indicating the nominal life time of the target lamp.

  “Lamp serial” is one piece of lamp information, and is information that can uniquely identify the target lamp, that is, a so-called serial number.

  A GUI image for inputting such a lamp serial code to the projector 33 is a lamp serial code input screen. For example, an image 102 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit 72 as shown in FIG. Pop-up is displayed.

  Therefore, when the lamp replacement worker attaches the target lamp as the lamp 58 to the lamp house 57, that is, when the lamp 58 is replaced with the target lamp, the lamp serial code of the target lamp is displayed on the lamp serial code input screen 102. It is possible to input in the box 111, that is, the box 111 on the right side of the display "Serial Code". For this input, for example, in the present embodiment, the input unit 71 is used.

  In the meantime, in the projector lamp replacement process of FIG. 5, the process of determining NO in the process of step S3 and executing the process of step S3 again is repeated.

  When a candidate lamp serial code for the target lamp is input in the box 111 of FIG. 8 and the software button 112 described as “CHECK” on the right side is pressed, the input is confirmed and the box 111 The input content is notified to the CPU 51. Then, in the projector lamp replacement process of FIG. 5, it is determined YES in the process of step S3, and the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, the CPU 51 executes Check sum confirmation processing.

  In other words, in the above-described expression, the text information input in the box 111 at the time of the processing in step S3 is expressed as a lamp serial code candidate instead of being immediately expressed as a lamp serial code. The reason for this expression is whether or not the text information input in the box 111 is a valid lamp serial code of the target lamp replaced as the lamp 58, including an input operation error of the lamp replacement operator, step S3. This is because it is not yet possible to determine at the time of processing, that is, at the time of input.

  Therefore, as described above, the CPU 51 uses the portion corresponding to “Check sum” / “check sum” in the text information input in the box 111, and the text information becomes a valid lamp serial code. It is necessary to execute processing to check whether or not This process is the “Check sum confirmation process” in step S4.

  In step S <b> 5, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the result of the “Check sum confirmation process” is a valid code.

  If the text information (lamp serial code candidate) input in the box 111 is an incorrect code, it is determined as NO in step S5, and the process proceeds to step S6. In step S <b> 6, the CPU 51 displays an error on the display unit 72. The error display here refers to, for example, displaying a notification that the text information (lamp serial code candidate) input in the box 111 is an illegal code, and therefore a notification prompting re-input. Such error display can be realized by, for example, display in the area 114 of FIG. As a result, the projector lamp replacement process ends.

  On the other hand, if the text information (lamp serial code candidate) input in the box 111 is a valid code, it is determined as YES in Step S5, and the process proceeds to Step S7.

  That is, at this point, since it is determined that the text information (lamp serial code candidate) input to the box 111 is a valid code, in the following processing, the text information input to the box 111 is converted to the lamp serial. It will be treated as a code.

  In step S7, the CPU 51 determines the range from the minimum watt (min watt) to the maximum watt (max watt) included in the lamp serial code (hereinafter referred to as the code range) and the minimum output watt in the set lamp mode. Compare the range up to output watts (ie, the mode range).

  In step S8, the CPU 51 determines whether there is an overlapping range between the code range and the mode range based on the comparison result in step S7.

  If there is no overlapping range between the code range and the mode range, NO is determined in step S8, and the process proceeds to step S9. In step S <b> 9, the CPU 51 displays an error on the display unit 72. The error display here means that, for example, the target lamp replaced as the lamp 58 cannot be controlled by the lamp power supply unit 56 at present, so that the lamp 58 may be replaced with another appropriate lamp or the target lamp may be replaced. In the case of using the lamp as it is, it means displaying a notification that it is necessary to change the setting of the lamp mode of the lamp power supply unit 56, and therefore a notification for prompting the replacement or the change thereof. Such error display can also be realized, for example, by display in the area 114 of FIG. As a result, the projector lamp replacement process ends.

  On the other hand, if there is an overlapping range between the code range and the mode range, YES is determined in step S8, and the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, the CPU 51 determines a range where the code range and the mode range overlap as the lamp drive control range.

  Specifically, for example, when the lamp mode set at this time is the lamp mode A in FIG. 4, the mode range is 2.0 kW to 4.2 kW. For example, when the minimum watt (min watt) included in the lamp serial cord is 1.8 kW and the maximum watt (max watt) is 3.6 kW, the cord range is 1.8 kW to 3.6 kW. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 9, a range where the code range and the mode range overlap, that is, 2.0 kW to 3.6 kW is determined as the lamp drive control range.

  Here, the lamp drive control range refers to a range of output power given as an instruction command among commands output from the CPU 51 of FIG. 2 to the lamp power supply unit 56 via the I / O unit 54. That is, the lamp power supply unit 56 is driven so as to provide the output power specified by the instruction command from the CPU 51 to the lamp 58. Accordingly, the predetermined power within the lamp drive control range (2.0 kW to 3.6 kW in the example of FIG. 9) is issued from the CPU 51 as an output power instruction command. As a result, the lamp power source 56 is driven within the lamp drive control range (2.0 kW to 3.6 kW in the example of FIG. 9). As a result, the power within the appropriate range is provided to the lamp 58 (the target lamp for the lamp serial code).

  Thus, when the lamp drive control range is determined in the process of step S10 of FIG. 5, the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S11, the CPU 51 automatically resets the lamp timer T (T = 0). Here, “automatic” means that the processing is executed based on the judgment of the CPU 51 itself without depending on an external instruction from the input unit 71 or the like at the time of processing in step S11. The “automatic” described below basically has the same meaning.

  In step S12, the CPU 51 performs log setting (recording of nominal life time T (life), etc.) and starts lamp timer operation processing.

  As a result, the projector lamp replacement process ends.

  Here, log setting (recording of nominal life time T (life), etc.) will be described.

  The log setting means that the contents of the lamp serial code input in the process of step S3 are included in the log history information about the target lamp replaced as the current lamp 58 and stored in the memory 52. Specifically, the contents of “manufacture code”, “max watt”, “min watt”, “life hour”, and “lamp serial” are included in the log history information. Hereinafter, the content of “life hour” is referred to as nominal life time T (life).

  In this way, since the log history information is stored in the memory 52, the CPU 51 appropriately reads the log history information from the memory 52 and displays the log history information on the display unit 72, or another device such as the communication unit 59, for example, 1 can be provided to the SM device 31 of FIG.

  For example, in this embodiment, the log history information can be displayed in the area 113 of the lamp serial code input screen 102 in FIG. 8 described above.

  The information included in the log history information is not particularly limited as long as it is information related to the target lamp exchanged this time as the lamp 58. For example, in the present embodiment, as other information indicating the lamp usage time of the target lamp, The measured value of T is adopted.

  The process of sequentially updating the measured value of the lamp timer T is the “lamp timer operation process” in step S12 of FIG. Therefore, an example of lamp timer operation processing will be described below with reference to FIG.

  In step S31, the CPU 51 determines whether an instruction to end the process has been issued.

  The determination process itself of step S31 is not particularly limited. For example, in the present embodiment, when the process of step S11 of FIG. 5 is executed, that is, when the lamp timer T is automatically reset, the process ends. Is determined to be instructed.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, when the lamp timer T is automatically reset, it is determined in step S31 that the process has been instructed, and the lamp timer operation process for the lamp 58 before replacement is completed. . 4 is executed, a lamp timer operation process for the lamp 58 after replacement is newly started.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, unless the lamp timer T is automatically reset, it is determined as NO in the process of step S31, and the process proceeds to step S32.

  In step S32, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the lamp 58 has been turned on.

  If the lamp 58 is not lit, it is determined as NO in step S32, the process returns to step S31, and the subsequent processes are repeated. That is, while the lamp timer T is not automatically reset and the lamp 58 is turned off, the loop process of steps S31 and S32 is repeatedly executed. Accordingly, during this time, the lamp timer T continues to maintain the current value.

  Thereafter, when the lamp 58 is turned on, it is determined as YES in Step S32, and the process proceeds to Step S33. In step S33, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the lamp 58 has been turned off.

  If the lamp 58 continues to be lit, it is determined as NO in the process of step S33, and the process proceeds to step S34.

  In step S34, the CPU 51 adds a lamp timer T (T = T + 1).

  At this time, for example, in the present embodiment, the measured value of the lamp timer T in the log history information stored in the memory 52 is rewritten, and the accurate usage time of the target lamp currently used as the lamp 58 is managed. It is.

  In step S35, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the lamp timer T has reached the nominal life time T (life) (T <T (life)).

  If the lamp timer T has not reached the nominal life time T (life), it is determined as YES in Step S35, the process returns to Step S33, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  That is, while the lamp 58 continues to be lit, unless the lamp timer T reaches the nominal life time T (life), the loop processing of steps S33 to S35 is repeatedly executed, and the lamp processing is performed for each loop processing. The measured value of timer T is incremented by one.

  Thereafter, when the lamp 58 is turned off, it is determined as YES in the next step S33, the process is returned to step S31, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  That is, until the lamp 58 is turned on next time or the lamp timer T is automatically reset, the loop processing of steps S31 and S32 is repeatedly executed. Accordingly, during this time, the lamp timer T continues to maintain the current value.

  If the lamp timer T reaches the nominal life time T (life) while the lamp 58 is lit, that is, during the repeated execution of the loop processing of steps S33 to S35, it is determined as NO in step S35, and processing is performed. Advances to step S36.

  In step S <b> 36, the CPU 51 displays a lamp replacement alarm on the display unit 72. The lamp replacement alarm is a message that prompts the user to replace the lamp with another lamp because the usage time of the target lamp currently used as the lamp 58 has reached the nominal life time (or will soon reach as will be described later). Say.

  Therefore, the presentation form of such a message is not particularly limited to image display, and any other presentation form such as voice output may be used. That is, there is no particular limitation as long as the lamp replacement time can be presented to a lamp replacement operator (such as an operator).

  In the example of FIG. 10, when the lamp timer T reaches the nominal life time T (life), a lamp replacement alarm is displayed. However, the lamp replacement alarm display (presentation) timing is not necessarily limited to the point in time when the lamp timer T reaches the nominal life time T (life), but the timing based on the nominal life time T (life) (for example, the nominal life time). The designer or the like can employ any time as long as it is a certain time before the time T (life). That is, as the process of step S35, the CPU 51 can execute the above-described lamp timer operation process in exactly the same manner only by determining whether or not the lamp timer T has reached the adoption time.

  Even after the process of step S36, the process returns to step S33, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  As described above, the projector 33 can execute the projector lamp replacement process shown in FIG. 5 and the lamp timer operation process shown in FIG. 10, so that the various problems described above can be solved. This will be described in more detail below.

  As described above, by executing steps S7 to S10 in FIG. 5 on the projector 33 side, an appropriate lamp drive control range is automatically determined, and as a result, the target lamp replaced this time as the lamp 58 is appropriately driven. Will come to be. Thus, even when a target lamp that does not completely match the preset range of the lamp power supply unit 56 (mode range in the present embodiment) prepared in advance is replaced as the lamp 58, it can be used safely. Will be able to. This is because the range where the code range specified by the lamp serial code attached to the target lamp and the mode range overlap is set as the lamp drive control range. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the check sum confirmation process is performed in the process of step S4 and the validity is confirmed, and then the lamp drive control range is determined. Therefore, there is a risk of lamp rupture or failure due to an operator input error. Sex can also be avoided. That is, the lamp size problem can be solved.

  The method for determining the lamp drive control range is not limited to the above-described example. If attention is paid only to ensuring safety, a range that does not exceed the maximum watt (max watt) included in the lamp serial code is determined. It is sufficient if the method is determined as However, in consideration of various points such as a solution to the lamp gain problem described later, it is preferable to adopt an example of the above-described method, that is, a determination method that determines a range where the mode range and the code range overlap as the lamp drive control range. .

  Further, as described above, the projector 33 automatically resets the lamp timer T in the process of step S11 in FIG. 5, and then performs log setting in the process of step S12 to perform the lamp timer operation process (see FIG. 10). Can start. As a result, the log history information regarding the target lamp that was replaced this time as the lamp 58 is appropriately stored, and the lamp usage time (lamp timer T) is appropriately updated. As a result, such log history information can be displayed as appropriate, and can also be output externally. Further, even if the lamp timer reset button is pressed in the process of step S1, the lamp timer T is not reset immediately, but the process of step S11 is not performed until the validity is confirmed by the check sum confirmation process of step S4. The lamp timer T is automatically reset. Thereby, even when the target lamp reaches the lamp life within the lamp guarantee time, the log history data can be used as an official proof means. In other words, the log history data can be used as one of materials for verifying that the target lamp is defective. In addition, the log history information can be used as data for determining the replacement time of parts having a difference in regular replacement time depending on the amount of light (lamp size). That is, the lamp usage history problem can be solved.

  Further, as described above, as described above, even if the lamp timer reset button is pressed in the process of step S1 in FIG. 5, the lamp timer T is not reset immediately, but the lamp serial code is not reset in the process of step S2. The input screen is explicitly popped up, and only after the valid lamp serial code is input to the lamp serial code input screen, that is, after the validity by the check sum confirmation processing in step S4 is confirmed, the step In step S11, the lamp timer T is automatically reset. Thereby, accurate management of the lamp timer T can be expected. In addition, when the target lamp that has been replaced this time as the lamp 58 is out of the certification for the projector 33, the lamp serial code should not be added in operation, and therefore the situation where an accurate lamp serial code is input is not possible. It is determined that the check sum confirmation processing result in step S4 is invalid and NO is determined in the processing in step S5, and an error is displayed in the processing in step S6. As a result, it is possible to avoid the danger of using an uncertified target lamp as the lamp 58, that is, the danger that the projector 33 breaks down or the lamp 58 bursts. In this way, the lamp management problem can be solved.

  Further, as is apparent from the processing of steps S7 to S10 in FIG. 5 described above, the lamp drive control range is given from the outside instead of using the mode range set in advance on the projector 33 side as it is. The code range specified from the lamp serial code is also appropriately determined in consideration. That is, when a target lamp having various lamp sizes of a plurality of lamp manufacturers (lamp manufacturers) that cannot be assumed at the time of design is mounted on the projector 33 as the lamp 58, the code range is determined by the lamp serial code attached to the target lamp. Is input from the outside, so that the lamp drive control range can be easily optimized. As a result, the maximum lamp gain can be secured safely. That is, the lamp gain problem can be solved.

  Moreover, the nominal life time of the lamp varies depending on the lamp manufacturer (manufacturer) and the lamp size (input rating), and the life may be improved even with the same lamp. In such a case, in this embodiment, as described above, the nominal life time of the target lamp replaced as the lamp 58 is included as “life hour” in the lamp serial code, and this “life hour” 10 is used as the nominal life time T (life) compared with the lamp timer T in the lamp timer operation processing of FIG. When the lamp timer T reaches the nominal life time T (life), a lamp replacement alarm is displayed in the process of step S36 in FIG. This means that even if any of the target lamps with a wide variety of nominal lifetimes is replaced as the lamp 58, a lamp replacement alarm corresponding to the nominal lifetime can be automatically presented. This means that the lamp replacement time problem can be solved.

  Furthermore, the measured value of the lamp timer T and the nominal life time T (life) that are sequentially updated in the lamp timer operation processing of FIG. 10 are a part of the log history information about the target lamp used as the lamp 58. 2 is stored in the memory 52 of FIG. 2 so that it can be read at any time. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the display unit indicates how much the current usage time (measured value of the lamp timer T) of the target lamp is relative to the nominal life time T (life). 72 etc. can be displayed easily. What should be noted here is not a fixed time (Hr, etc.) but a ratio (%), so that any one of the target lamps having a wide variety of nominal lifetimes was replaced as a lamp 58. Even in this case, the display form shown in FIG. 11 can be displayed on the display unit 72 or the like as it is.

  Furthermore, as is clear from the configuration of FIG. 1, the projector 33 can be directly or indirectly connected to external devices, and various information can be obtained by directly or indirectly communicating with these external devices. Can be exchanged with external devices.

  Therefore, it is not always necessary to use the input unit 71 of the projector 33 in FIG. 2 for inputting information, and the input function of the external device is used, for example, the input function of the SM device 31 or a personal computer (not shown). Can be used. Similarly, for the presentation of information, it is not always necessary to use the display unit 72 of the projector 33 in FIG. Specifically, for example, the display function of the SM device 31 or a personal computer (not shown) may be used.

  Thus, for example, a lamp replacement operator or the like inputs the lamp serial code of the target lamp replaced as the lamp 58 using the SM device 31 or a personal computer (not shown), or logs the target lamp. Various information based on the history information can be presented.

  Further, for example, log history information of the target lamp used as the lamp 58 of the predetermined projector 33 can be easily transmitted to the SM device 31, the TM device 21, and eventually the maintenance server 12. Accordingly, the log history information of each target lamp used as each of the lamps 58 of the plurality of projectors 33 is collectively displayed in units of 22 theaters, movie theaters 11 or service units for maintaining a plurality of movie theaters 11. It will be possible to manage.

  In the above example, the lamp serial code is printed on a label or a paper medium. However, the lamp serial code is not particularly limited to the above example. For example, a bar code or an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip can be used. An effect equivalent to or better than the above-described example can be obtained. Compared to labels and paper media, barcodes and IC chips can be applied to a variety of uses, so they are applied to lamp serial codes. This is because there is a high possibility that various uses will be born, and in that case, it is also possible to expect an effect more than the above-described example.

  Such various possible lamp serial codes can be easily obtained by, for example, causing an apparatus (not shown) provided for a lamp manufacturer (manufacturer) to execute the lamp serial code generation process of FIG. Can be generated.

  That is, FIG. 12 shows an example of a ramp reserial code generation process.

  In step S51, the apparatus accepts input of lamp information from a lamp manufacturer (manufacturer) or the like.

  Here, the lamp information is information other than “Check sum” / “check sum” in the information included in the lamp serial code, for example, when the lamp serial code having the structure of FIG. 7 described above is employed. Indicates “manufacture code”, “max watt”, “min watt”, “life hour”, “lamp serial” as described in the box of step S51 in FIG. The lamp information in this case does not necessarily have to be input by the same method, and does not necessarily have to be input at the same timing, and the input order is not particularly limited.

  In any case, when all the lamp information is input, the process proceeds from step S51 to step S52.

  In step S52, the apparatus rearranges lamp information. This rearrangement follows the structure of the lamp serial code. Therefore, when the lamp serial code having the structure shown in FIG. 7 is employed, the lamps are rearranged in the order of “manufacture code”, “max watt”, “min watt”, “life hour”, “lamp serial”. It will be.

  In step S53, the apparatus calculates a checksum for each piece of lamp information rearranged in this way. That is, “Check sum” / “check sum” is calculated.

  In step S54, the apparatus generates a lamp serial code. That is, the lamp serial code is generated by adding the checksum calculated in the process of step S53 to each lamp information rearranged in the process of step S52. For example, when the lamp serial code having the structure of FIG. 7 is adopted, each text information “Check sum / manufacture code / max watt / min watt / life hour / lamp serial / check sum” is arranged and configured. The generated information is generated as a lamp serial code.

  By the way, the series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a computer that includes the software program is incorporated in dedicated hardware, for example, a computer that includes the CPU 51 incorporated in the projector 33 in FIG. 2 described above. Alternatively, the program is installed from a program recording medium in a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs, such as a general-purpose personal computer.

  As shown in FIG. 2, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a program recording medium that is installed in a computer and stores a program that can be executed by the computer includes a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk), an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc- Read only memory), DVD (including digital versatile disc), magneto-optical disk, or removable media 74 that is a package medium made of semiconductor memory, or the memory 52 in which a program is temporarily or permanently stored, FIG. 2 includes a hard disk (not shown). The program is stored in the program recording medium using a wired or wireless communication medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting via a communication unit 59 that is an interface such as a router or a modem as necessary. Done.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program stored in the program recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in time series in the order described, but is not necessarily performed in time series. Or the process performed separately is also included.

  Further, in this specification, the system represents an entire apparatus or circuit constituted by a plurality of apparatuses or circuits.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information processing system to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the projector to which this invention is applied which is one component of the information processing system of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the external appearance of the lamp mounted in the projector of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the lamp mode which can be set to the lamp power supply part of the projector of FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a projector lamp replacement process among the processes executed by the projector of FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows an example of the GUI image containing a lamp timer reset button. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a lamp serial code. It is a figure which shows an example of the GUI image containing the lamp serial code input screen displayed by pop-up display. It is a figure explaining the determination method of the lamp drive control range to which this invention is applied. It is a flowchart explaining an example of a lamp timer operation process among the processes which the projector of FIG. 2 performs. It is a figure which shows an example of the GUI image which shows the usage time of the lamp | ramp mounted in the projector of FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for generating a lamp serial code for a lamp mounted on the projector of FIG. 2, that is, an example of a lamp serial code generation process.

Explanation of symbols

  11A, 11B, 11N Movie theater, 12 Maintenance server, 13 Network, 21 TM device, 22a, 22n Screening area, 31a, 31n SM device, 32a, 32n Material server, 33, 33a, 33n Projector, 34a, 34n Screen, 51 CPU, 52 memory, 53 input / output section, 54 I / O section, 55 input / output interface, 56 lamp power supply section, 57 lamp house, 58 lamp, 59 input / output interface, 60 drives, 71 input section, 72 display section, 73 Setting SW, 74 Removable media

Claims (2)

In projectors that can be equipped with multiple lamp sizes,
For each of the plurality of lamps that can be mounted on the projector, each lamp information including at least the minimum watt and the maximum watt of the lamp, and a lamp serial code configured by arranging checksums in a predetermined order are attached. And
The projector is
A lamp power source for driving the lamp mounted on the projector, wherein a plurality of mode ranges are provided in advance as a range from the minimum watt to the maximum watt of the output, and a predetermined one of the plurality of mode ranges is provided. The lamp power source in which one setting is freely possible;
A control circuit for controlling the lamp power supply,
The control circuit includes:
When the lamp mounted on the projector is replaced with a predetermined lamp, a GUI image for inputting the lamp serial code is popped up, and the lamp serial code attached to the predetermined lamp with respect to the GUI image is displayed. Accept input,
By confirming the portion corresponding to the checksum in the information input as the lamp serial code, it is confirmed whether the input information is the correct lamp serial code,
When it is confirmed that the lamp serial code is valid, the range from the minimum watt to the maximum watt included in the lamp serial code is a code range, the code range, and the mode range set for the lamp power supply Compare
Based on the result of the comparison, a range where the code range and the mode range overlap is determined as a lamp drive control range for controlling the driving of the lamp power supply,
A projector that controls driving of the lamp power source within a determined lamp driving control range. In the control method of the projector that can mount lamps of multiple types of lamp sizes,
For each of the plurality of lamps that can be mounted on the projector, each lamp information including at least the minimum watt and the maximum watt of the lamp, and a lamp serial code configured by arranging checksums in a predetermined order are attached. And
The projector is
A lamp power source for driving the lamp mounted on the projector, wherein a plurality of mode ranges are provided in advance as a range from the minimum watt to the maximum watt of the output, and a predetermined one of the plurality of mode ranges is provided. The lamp power source in which one setting is freely possible;
And a control circuit for controlling the lamp power supply,
The control circuit comprises:
When the lamp mounted on the projector is replaced with a predetermined lamp, a GUI image for inputting the lamp serial code is popped up, and the lamp serial code attached to the predetermined lamp with respect to the GUI image is displayed. Accept input,
By confirming the portion corresponding to the checksum in the information input as the lamp serial code, it is confirmed whether the input information is the correct lamp serial code,
When it is confirmed that the lamp serial code is valid, the range from the minimum watt to the maximum watt included in the lamp serial code is a code range, the code range, and the mode range set for the lamp power supply Compare
Based on the result of the comparison, a range where the code range and the mode range overlap is determined as a lamp drive control range for controlling the driving of the lamp power supply,
A control method for controlling driving of the lamp power source within a determined lamp driving control range.

Images